Can a professional account agreement be signed electronically?

Yes, without restriction. Article L312-1-1 of the Monetary and Financial Code requires a prior written agreement but prescribes no specific form. Certyneo''s advanced signature (AES) satisfies evidentiary requirements and DSP2 strong authentication.

What are the mandatory KYC elements for a professional account?

Kbis less than 3 months old, valid manager identity document, professional address proof, beneficial owner declaration (UBO register), sanctions absence certificate, IBAN for routine operations. Certyneo enables upload and electronic signature of all these elements.

How to comply with DSP2 strong authentication requirements?

DSP2 requires two authentication elements from knowledge, possession, inherence. Certyneo''s advanced signature covers knowledge (email signature + Certyneo password) + possession (SMS OTP on verified phone). SCA-compatible without additional biometrics.

Which signature level to choose: SES, AES, or QES?

For a professional account agreement, advanced signature (AES) is required by DSP2 practice. It provides presumption of reliability (art. 1367 Civil Code) and satisfies strong customer authentication requirements. SES is insufficient, QES is oversized.

How long must the agreement be retained?

Minimum 10 years (art. L123-22 Commercial Code, and account duration + 5 years per ACPR requirements). Certyneo automatically archives the agreement + audit trail for this duration.

Can the institution unilaterally modify the agreement?

Article L312-1-1 requires 2 months'' notice for any modification, with written client notification and cancellation right. The modification itself can be electronically signed, with qualified timestamp of prior notice delivery.

What if the account is opened for a company in formation?

The account can be opened in the name of the company in formation (art. L210-6 Commercial Code). The agreement is then signed by future partners or the intended manager. Certyneo handles multi-signers and enables regularization upon registration.

Is an electronically signed agreement enforceable before a judge?

Yes — French case law unanimously recognizes eIDAS-compliant electronic signature. The presumption of reliability in art. 1367 of the Civil Code makes advanced signature (AES) enforceable without further proof, provided the audit trail is produced (automatically delivered by Certyneo).

Art. L312-1-1 CMF · DSP2 SCA · eIDAS AES

Sign a professional account opening online

Account agreement between a professional client (company, association, self-employed) and their bank or fintech, signed electronically with strong DSP2 authentication. Compliant with article L312-1-1 of the Monetary and Financial Code, dematerialized company KYC, 10-year archiving included.

Legal framework: Art. L312-1-1 CMF · DSP2
Signature level: AES eIDAS recommended
Legal archiving: 10 years included

What is a professional account agreement?

An account agreement is the written contract that formalizes the relationship between the bank (or fintech) and its professional client. Article L312-1-1 of the Monetary and Financial Code requires a prior written agreement specifying the services offered, fees, modification conditions, and closure procedures. For professional accounts, it is accompanied by company KYC (Know Your Customer) which verifies the identity of the manager, the legal existence of the company (Kbis < 3 months), the beneficial owner, and absence of sanctions. Advanced electronic signature + SMS OTP satisfies DSP2 requirements for strong customer authentication (SCA).

Why sign electronically?

Strong DSP2 authentication

Strong customer authentication (SCA) required by DSP2 requires two elements out of three (knowledge, possession, inherence). Certyneo natively covers knowledge + possession via SMS OTP on the signer''s phone.

Dematerialized company KYC

Upload of Kbis, manager''s identity document, and professional address proof. Automatic verification by OCR + data consistency. Electronic signature of manager authenticated by SMS OTP.

10-year compliant archiving

Article L123-22 of the Commercial Code requires preservation of banking documents for 10 years. Certyneo automatically archives the signed agreement + its eIDAS audit trail for this entire duration, accessible in one click for any ACPR audit.

ACPR-enforceable audit trail

Each agreement comes with a proof PDF: signer identity verified by dual-channel SMS OTP, qualified timestamp, SHA-256 hash, IP. Enforceable before ACPR during audits, and before courts in case of customer disputes.

4-step procedure

From preparation to legal archiving, in less than 5 minutes.

1. Prepare the agreement
Upload your account agreement template compliant with art. L312-1-1 CMF (services, fees, modification, closure). Include the company KYC form and list of required supporting documents.
2. Add signers
Legal representative of the institution + manager of the client company. In case of co-management, add all co-managers. Each receives a personalized secure link by email.
3. Choose the eIDAS level
Advanced signature (AES) required to satisfy strong DSP2 customer authentication: identity verification by SMS OTP, unique certificate per signer, qualified timestamp. Compliant with article 26 of the eIDAS regulation.
4. Sign and activate the account
Each signer signs from their phone or computer. The finalized agreement + proof PDF are archived for 10 years. The account can be activated immediately after final KYC verification.

Frequently asked questions

Can a professional account agreement be signed electronically?: Yes, without restriction. Article L312-1-1 of the Monetary and Financial Code requires a prior written agreement but prescribes no specific form. Certyneo''s advanced signature (AES) satisfies evidentiary requirements and DSP2 strong authentication.
What are the mandatory KYC elements for a professional account?: Kbis less than 3 months old, valid manager identity document, professional address proof, beneficial owner declaration (UBO register), sanctions absence certificate, IBAN for routine operations. Certyneo enables upload and electronic signature of all these elements.
How to comply with DSP2 strong authentication requirements?: DSP2 requires two authentication elements from knowledge, possession, inherence. Certyneo''s advanced signature covers knowledge (email signature + Certyneo password) + possession (SMS OTP on verified phone). SCA-compatible without additional biometrics.
Which signature level to choose: SES, AES, or QES?: For a professional account agreement, advanced signature (AES) is required by DSP2 practice. It provides presumption of reliability (art. 1367 Civil Code) and satisfies strong customer authentication requirements. SES is insufficient, QES is oversized.
How long must the agreement be retained?: Minimum 10 years (art. L123-22 Commercial Code, and account duration + 5 years per ACPR requirements). Certyneo automatically archives the agreement + audit trail for this duration.
Can the institution unilaterally modify the agreement?: Article L312-1-1 requires 2 months'' notice for any modification, with written client notification and cancellation right. The modification itself can be electronically signed, with qualified timestamp of prior notice delivery.
What if the account is opened for a company in formation?: The account can be opened in the name of the company in formation (art. L210-6 Commercial Code). The agreement is then signed by future partners or the intended manager. Certyneo handles multi-signers and enables regularization upon registration.
Is an electronically signed agreement enforceable before a judge?: Yes — French case law unanimously recognizes eIDAS-compliant electronic signature. The presumption of reliability in art. 1367 of the Civil Code makes advanced signature (AES) enforceable without further proof, provided the audit trail is produced (automatically delivered by Certyneo).

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Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card required. Compliant with DSP2 and eIDAS. Audit trail and 10-year archiving included.

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